Hiking Aotearoa

On the 18th-20th of July (Fri, Sat and Sun) we are going to Rotorua, to hike 4 different tracks not far from the city centre. We plan to stay at Rock Solid Backpackers in Rotorua CBD.

The basic plan is to drive down to Rotorua (about 230km) on Friday and hike around Blue lake, however this is optional to those who arrive early. Then on Saturday we will hike the Mangarewa loop, and finish with a shorter hike at Whakarewarewa forest. We finish the day with a group dinner at Rotorua town. Finally on Sunday we will hike a loop to Tokorangi Pa, before driving back to Auckland. A reasonable level of fitness and stamina will be required. There are no big hills to climb or long distances to hike this time. Regulars get priority but new comers are welcome.

As with all overnight weekend hikes, if it is your plan to skip Sunday's hike then please do not RSVP . On future hikes, you will also be unlikely to join the Going list.

🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights;
📌Friday hike : Blue lake circuit 1 hour 40 minutes (5.7 km) - optional hike
📌Saturday hikes :
Hike 1: Mangorewa loop 5 to 5.5 hours (9.7 km)
Hike 2: Tikitapu - Okareka loop 1 hours 30 minutes (4.8 km)
📌Sunday hike : Tokorangi Pa hike 3 hours 30 minutes return (11.2 km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
Friday: 2.5
Saturday: 3.0
Sunday: 3.0
📌Maps:
Friday: Blue Lake loop https://tinyurl.com/kjwkr89
Saturday: Mangorewa loop https://tinyurl.com/53jvzkmz
Tikitapu - Okareka loop loop: https://tinyurl.com/5n7me8wa
Sunday: Tokorangi Pa https://tinyurl.com/mrvd3nab

🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
10:00 Leave Auckland (Approx)
13:05 Arrive at Blue & Green lakes lookout car park
13:15 Start Blue Lake loop (optional hike**)
15:00 Finish hike
17:16 Sunset
** Blue lake is optional and you can arrive any time on Friday

📌Saturday:
07:27 Sunrise
08:00 Leave backpackers to start of hike
08:30 Arrive at Mangorewa track car park
08:45 Start Hike
13:45 Finish hike
13:50 Drive to Tarawera Road, Rororua
14:35 Arrive Blue Lake car park
14:40 Start Tikitapu- Okareka loop hike
16:10 Finish hike
16:30 Back at Backpackers
17:16 Sunset
18:30 Optional group dinner

📌Sunday:
07:27 Sunrise
08:30 Pack up and drive to Longmile Road
08:45 Start Tokorangi Pa hike
12:30 Finish hike
12:35 Snacks and drinks at Good Eastern Taphouse
14:00 Drive back to Auckland
17:00 Approx arrive back in Auckland
17:18 Sunset

🚩 These are the 6 important stopping points to note when driving:

👉 1) Rock Solid Backpackers 1140 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua CBD
(Where we stay for 2 nights)
https://tinyurl.com/mr2tp5r7

👉 2) Mangorewa loop track lookout car park
(Where we start & finish the Mangorewa loop hike)
https://tinyurl.com/2p9syasm

👉 3) Blue lake car park (North end of Blue lake)
(Where we start & finish the Blue Lake loop)
(Where we start & finish the Tikitapu - Orareka loop hike)
https://tinyurl.com/mnryj6aw

👉 4) Car park, Long mile Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
(Where we start and finish the Tokorangi Pa & Pohaturoa loop tracks)
https://tinyurl.com/5k25s4nm

👉 5) The Fainting goat Gastrobar (TBC)
(where we have optional dinner on Sat night)
https://tinyurl.com/bddj2vyk

👉 6) Good Eastern Taphouse, 6 Tarawera Road
(where we have snacks and drinks -or late lunch- before departing)
https://tinyurl.com/5n8x272m

🚩 Friday : You can arrive at any time on Friday, however we have a short optional hike around Blue Lake at 13:00 for those that get to Rotorua early.

🚩 Saturday hikes: We drive for half an hour north west from Rotorua to the Mangorewa stream to complete a loop which the first part will be in a stream and you will get your feet wet. The stream is very slippery, so it is suggested to wear old socks over your shoes/boots for a better grip. Perhaps a hiking pole or a stick would be good for balance. It should take about 5 hours. We then drive to the other side of Rotorua to complete a short hike near Blue lake before heading back to the Backpackers. We plan to have a group dinner at 18:30

🚩 Sunday hike: The track is a loop from the Redwoods carpark
Some of the route is shared with, horse riders and mountain bikers. The route goes through Douglas fir, European Larch, Walnut and various Eucalyptus and leads to the site of an ancient Māori pa. The track then continues down to the valley floor along ‘The Wash’. On the way back we past the wastewater treatment ponds to return via Katore and Nursery Roads. About 3 hours 30 minutes (11.2km)

🚩Accommodation:
We stay for 2 nights at Rock Solid Backpackers in the Rotorua CBD, on 1140 Hinemoa street. Rooms booked are:

1. 4 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
2. 4 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
3. 3 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
4. 3 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
5. 2 bed room (twin) $55/night x 2 = $110 each
6. 2 bed room (twin) $55/night x 2 = $110 each

The beds booked are for 18 people, anyone who joins after all beds are taken then they will have to make their own booking, however there should be plenty of extra beds. Please mention that you are with Hiking Aotearoa, and you will have a bed in the same area as the rest of the group.

🚩Parking: there are 5 private parking spaces available for $5 per night. Street parking is also available but needs to be paid for until Saturday midday. The rest of the weekend is free. If you can not find parking, then there is parking near the Polynesian pools.

🚩 Payment: Make payment of either $80 or $110 by 2nd July. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Write "Rotorua" and your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name. Please hold on payment until booking has been confirmed and rooms allocated.

This excursion spans two nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) to the North Crater of Mt Tongariro. We commence our climb from the Mangatepopo road end, spending one night at the Mangatepopo hut. On the second day, we intend to ascend the eastern ridge of Mt Tongariro, reaching the summit before proceeding to the North Crater, a vast flat area featuring a small crater at its center. Our plan is to camp in proximity to or within this crater. On the following day, we will head east towards Mt Rotopaunga and subsequently to Pt 1850, completing a full circuit of Blue Lake. We will then reconnect with the Tongariro crossing, leading us back to the road end and car park.

Participants are required to own or rent crampons, ice axe, helmet, appropriate boots, and a tent. If you lack this equipment, then some of the gear is available for rent from me. For those with limited alpine experience, there is still an opportunity to participate and acquire fundamental mountaineering skills during this trip. A general level of good fitness is essential, along with the appropriate gear to ensure the safety of yourself and others. You must be capable of running at least 5 kilometers on flat terrain without stopping.

Priority will be given to regular participants and those who have completed more than three hikes with 'Hiking Aotearoa'. If you are slow or unfit, this event is NOT suitable for you. Additionally, it is crucial to be organized to avoid delaying the group while you prepare your gear. Being ready when required is important, and priority will be given to regular participants over those who only occasionally join Hiking Aotearoa Meetup hikes.

🚩 Summary of details:
📌 Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights
📌 Friday : From Mangatepopo car park hike for one hour to the hut
📌 Saturday : 3.5 hour ascent (about 6.5km)
📌 Sunday : 6 hours (about 14.0km)
📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 4.0 - 5.0 (overall)
📌 Max attendees: 12 people
📌 Map of route: https://tinyurl.com/3s222v93

📌Friday:
After arriving at Mangetepopo Road end we hike about 45-60 minutes to Mangetepopo hut. Arriving early will increase our chances of getting a bunk, as this hut is very busy even in winter. Snow at this altitude should be unlikely.

📌Saturday:
We leave Mangetepopo hut, and climb up the West ridge of Mt Tongariro. You will need at some point, to fit on your crampons on this ridge. We reach the summit of Mt Tongariro and then traverse north to the North crater, where there is a large flat area and a small crater gouged out. We may camp here or some other place sheltered from the wind.

📌Sunday:
We pack up our camp on North crater and head towards Blue lake and Rotopaunga peak to make a circuit around the lake before dropping down to the Tongariro crossing and back down to the car park where we started.

🚩 These are the 2 important stopping points to note.:

👉 1) Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club, 275 Balmoral Drive, Tokoroa
(Where we have Friday lunch)
https://tinyurl.com/2fhdw8es

👉 2) Mangatepopo Road Car Park,
(Where we park our cars, also start and finish the hike)
https://tinyurl.com/sw9u9mmn

This excursion lasts for three nights and four days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). We will traverse the base of Mt Ruapehu at an average altitude of approximately 1300 metres. The landscape includes beech forests, boulders, ravines, large and small stream crossings, and expansive almost flat desert. Since we will be hiking in August, we can expect to encounter some snow at higher elevations, although it is improbable that we will need to navigate through extensive snowfields; however, we may encounter icy terrain in certain areas. In our view, hiking around the mountain during this season is particularly stunning and impressive, and would arguably be one of the top 10 multi day hikes in the North island, and perhaps New Zealand.

We will stay in three huts throughout the journey, eliminating the need to carry camping equipment. Given that it is winter, it is improbable that any of the huts will be fully occupied. Furthermore, all huts are equipped with a fire place, providing the option for heating and drying clothes or gear. The three designated huts are Whakapapaiti, Blyth, and Rangipo. It is essential to bring suitable gear for cold winter conditions.

Priority will be extended to regular participants and those who have completed more than three hikes with 'Hiking Aotearoa'. This event is NOT appropriate for individuals who are slow or unfit. Regular participants will be prioritized over those who only occasionally attend Meetup hikes.

🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 4 days and 3 nights
📌 Day 1: Whakapapa to Whakapapaiti hut 8.4km (2 hours 15 min)
📌 Day 2: Whakapapaiti hut to Blyth hut 19.0km (8 hours 30 min)
📌 Day 3: Blyth hut to Rangipo hut 16.6km (5 hour 15 min)
📌 Day 4: Rangipo hut to Whakapapa 28.3km (8-9 hours)
📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 3.75 (overall)
📌 Max attendees: 10-12 people
📌 Map of route: https://tinyurl.com/bd33revx

🚩 These are the 2 important stopping points to note.:
👉 1) Jasmine cafe & Thai restaurant, 43 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
(Where we have Thursday lunch)
https://tinyurl.com/nmh3r8sp

👉 2) SH 48 on left side of road, (in front of the Chateau) Whakapapa
(Where we park our cars, also start and finish the hike)
https://tinyurl.com/44zntxar